A Kano Magistrate Court has sentenced a man, Mohammed Saidu, to two weeks in prison and imposed a fine of N100,000 for storing more than 50 bags of human faeces outside his residence, creating a foul odour that residents said made life unbearable in the neighbourhood.

Saidu was arraigned after residents reported the offensive smell to environmental authorities in Kano. The court found him guilty of conduct that endangered public health.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Halima Wali described Saidu’s actions as highly inconsiderate and a threat to public health. She ordered him to spend 14 days in custody, pay a N100,000 fine, and immediately remove all waste materials from the premises. The court also warned him against repeating the offence.

According to reports, Saidu works as a septic tank evacuator and had allegedly been collecting the waste for resale to farmers who use it as fertiliser, a practice known in some communities.

Speaking on the incident, local community leader Musa Abdullahi said the scale of the waste storage was alarming.

“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” Abdullahi said.

Residents complained that the stench had become so severe that it disrupted their daily lives and prevented them from enjoying their homes.

One of the complainants, Samaila Inuwa, said neighbours initially attempted to resolve the matter amicably before reporting it to authorities.

“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa said.

Before delivering her ruling, Magistrate Wali reportedly visited the property to verify the allegations.

Inuwa expressed relief after the court’s intervention, saying conditions in the area had improved significantly.

“Finally, our neighbourhood is enjoyable once more without any bad smell,” he said.

Abdullahi disclosed that he had previously cautioned Saidu when he first began storing the waste and that the practice had temporarily stopped before resuming.

“When he first started it, I spoke to him about it and he packed them out and stopped. I did not know when he resumed,” he said.

The community leader added that residents bypassed traditional mediation efforts on this occasion and reported the matter directly to government authorities.

He expressed hope that the dispute would be fully resolved upon Saidu’s release, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence among residents.

“My mission is for everybody in this area to live in peace. When he is released, we will talk to him and the neighbours again,” Abdullahi said.